Virtual-reality company MetaX hits Meta trademark lawsuit

New York-based MetaX told the court it had been "crushed" by Facebook's rebrand and said its "ability to operate as Meta has been eviscerated." 

Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc was hit with a trademark lawsuit in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday by MetaX LLC

MetaX specializes in "experiential and immersive technologies" using technologies like VR and augmented reality.

MetaX LLC, a company that creates immersive virtual-reality experiences, for allegedly stealing its name for its pivot to the metaverse.

It accused Meta Platforms of infringing its federal "Meta" trademarks

It requested a court order that blocks the social media company from using "Meta" for goods and services that overlap with MetaX's

Meta Platforms rebranded from its eponymous social networking platform in October 2021

MetaX's founder, Justin "JB" Bolognino, said - "not only put our business in jeopardy, but that of the entire industry and the intellectual property rights of the innovators that have helped build it."